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Re: Prediction Thread!!!: Who Stays? Who Goes? Who Arrives?

Never going to happen. Not the kind of player Ozzie or Harbaugh wants. Moreover, he is over the hill.

Huh? Either guy would provide a large upgrade to the Bengals Defense.

Here's hoping that no one nibbles at Kruger's $9 million suggestion and he winds up back in purple. I wouldn't want to cut Suggs, but, right now, Kruger is the better pass rusher.

The Bengals already have pass rush. They can't stop the run. Kruger won't help that. Cary might help. He might need to be in a zone D.

"When questioned, the Elders explained that they were in search of magical powers. However, they're actually searching for the whereabouts of a certain ring. This ring is a legendary treasure that long ago was known to exist"

Re: Prediction Thread!!!: Who Stays? Who Goes? Who Arrives?

I just can't picture Randy Moss in a Ravens uniform in my wildest dreams. Is there a basis for thinking this could happen?

CincyCat, there happens to be plenty of basis, upon which it could be thought to happen.

"When questioned, the Elders explained that they were in search of magical powers. However, they're actually searching for the whereabouts of a certain ring. This ring is a legendary treasure that long ago was known to exist"

Re: Prediction Thread!!!: Who Stays? Who Goes? Who Arrives?

In previous years, it made more sense. Now, as cap strapped as we are, I wouldn't go out and make that deal. Otherwise, I'd be on board.

Which is funny because the years when we had the cap for that, I was against it because he was a headcase.

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“When I think of a Baltimore Raven - we go in there, we take your lunch box, we take your sandwich, we take your juice box, we take your applesauce, and we take your spork and we break it. And we leave you with an empty lunch. That’s the Baltimore Raven way.” - Steve Smith Sr.

Re: Prediction Thread!!!: Who Stays? Who Goes? Who Arrives?

The Bengals already have pass rush. They can't stop the run. Kruger won't help that. Cary might help. He might need to be in a zone D.

Which is why I'm more worried about them grabbing Ellerbe.

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“When I think of a Baltimore Raven - we go in there, we take your lunch box, we take your sandwich, we take your juice box, we take your applesauce, and we take your spork and we break it. And we leave you with an empty lunch. That’s the Baltimore Raven way.” - Steve Smith Sr.

Re: Prediction Thread!!!: Who Stays? Who Goes? Who Arrives?

I wouldn't want to cut Suggs, but, right now, Kruger is the better pass rusher.

Originally Posted by Captain Silver

Kruger isn't shit without Suggs on the other side.

These two statements are polar extremes and in reality he falls somewhere inbetween.

Hes played well without suggs and/or an injured ineffective suggs so hes shown to be able to handle the pass rushing duties himself, but when Suggs is healthy, theres no question hes a better pass rusher than Kruger currently, imo. Krugers possibly most valuable trait is that hes still trending upwards. Somebody may gamble that he has an even better year or two ahead of him before plateauing. I think if youre counting out Suggs as the best passrusher youre letting this injury plagued year be the deciding factor rather than 9 years of prior production. at 30 years old id concede that hes probably on the downside of his career, but that doesnt mean hes still not currently better.

Re: Prediction Thread!!!: Who Stays? Who Goes? Who Arrives?

Flacco gets his big-money deal and does not have to pay for the franchise tag this season. The FO is smart enough to realize that short of a serious injury, his leverage is not going back down over the course of just one year. He's earned his money. Pay him and move on.

Boldin receives a well-deserved extension for 2-3 more years beyond this one that lowers his cap number. He probably doesn't play out the whole thing, but it keeps him in purple until his retirement.

Jacoby Jones can't come to terms on an extension with the Ravens, but is retained at his current cap number for this season rather than being released.

Vonta Leach is extended for another 2-3 years at reasonable salary numbers. Alternately, he is released, and doesn't find as much of a market for his services as he thought... possibly returning to the Ravens at that point, possibly just moving on. Of all the names on the list, this is the one I'm most unsure about.

Pitta receives a second-round RFA tender, Dickson an original-round RFA tender, and both remain for this season. We take a TE on the draft's third day.

Bryant McKinnie seeks too much money and goes elsewhere. The Ravens draft a prospect at LT within the first three rounds, and may also sign a low-cost veteran to fill the spot from another team's FAs. Oher and Osemele are kept in their current positions for next season, barring injuries forcing a shuffle.

Matt Birk retires and Gino Gradkowski takes his spot.

Art Jones is given an original-round tender and gets signed by another team, departing in free agency. Pernell McPhee sees more playing time, mixed with other big bodies at low costs to fill this spot. It proves to be a glaring weakness over the course of the season.

Kemoeatu retires. Terrence Cody returns as the starting NT, unless the Ravens are able to take Jesse Williams or another NT prospect in the first couple rounds.

Paul Kruger and Dannell Ellerbe are signed by other teams. Jameel McClain is released for cap/health reasons. Suggs, Upshaw, a rookie ILB, and a veteran castoff from another team make up our starting ILB corps.

Cary Williams signs for way too much money somewhere else and is immediately pilloried by his new team's fans. Webb returns strong enough from his ACL tear to contribute.

Ed Reed signs with another team after the Ravens fail to make a market offer for his services. A rookie takes over his spot at FS, possibly sharing time with Christian Thompson and/or James Ihedigbo there.

The Ravens sign a couple of ST-level veterans from other teams who turn out to be able to contribute as backups on defense as well.

The team continues its strong offensive production, though its defense lags. Shootouts become common. Joe Flacco's stats start to fall in line with other elite QBs as he finally spends more second halves throwing the ball around instead of guarding a 20-6 lead. The Ravens finish 11-5 to win the division over the Bengals, winning at least one playoff game in defense of their title. Beyond that... I won't venture a guess

Re: Prediction Thread!!!: Who Stays? Who Goes? Who Arrives?

Who stays imo: Flacco is going to get payed but not a lot as people think he will. Boldin will restructure and stay for 3 years. Jacoby aka jay boogie will remain with the team he is to valuable for them and not to mention the return game. Leach same said about boldin. Pitta will get tendered. Big mac may get a 1 year deal. Art Jones same I said about pitta. Ellerbe I think is comming back no way we are going thinner in the lb corps. The ones who are leaving: Cary is going to play where a team throw more money at hun same with kruger. Birk going to retire. Same with ed but I hope he comes back. James iilaghedo however you spell his name he is 50 50. BA may retire

Re: Prediction Thread!!!: Who Stays? Who Goes? Who Arrives?

Guess start with the certainties:

Flacco's getting re-signed, though I fear the tag'll have to be used in some form. 6 yrs/115 mil region, though it'd be nice if it ends up being more 110mil. Overpaying a bit from outset, but it'll prove itself to be a good deal later on. The Ravens do tend to leave these things to the 'are you sure I turned the gas off?' sitting in the car before going away for two weeks moment. Perhaps they'll make an exception in this case.

Cary and Kruger are gone and have basically been since the confetti starting falling. Question for them is to whom and for how much. Think we're good without them. CB's our main strength on D, though will need some depth adding to it. OLB pass rush is difficult to replace, but we've got prospects in McPhee, Jones, Hamilton and before we forget, McAdoo.

After that, it gets sketchy. The more likelies would have Birk retiring, though he might drag his feet. Bobbie may end up being cut, then retiring. Kemo may be in the same boat, but might return on a vet min if the Ravens can pull it off post-draft. BA will remain for this year, I think.

Ellerbe stays, I think. ILBs seem to be the easiest to retain and the Ravens tend to at least keep one of these type of guys per year regardless of cap situation. Ed's in the air, can't make a guess. I lean toward him staying, though it'll be close - Pats and Saints'll make a run. Ed knows he won't win with the Colts.

McKinnie doesn't return - despite his play, his motivation is too off. I think the playoffs were an exception to the rule. He'll go to whomever will pay him the most. As said above, Kemo goes and along with guys like Johnson, McBean and Bajema. Ihedigbo and Considine end up coming back for another 1 yr contract.

Now to the cuts. The Ravens do not retain all 3 EFA RBs and think they'll let Allen go as he'll now be on the 555k. Might let Levine go if they keep the above 2 safeties.

Emmanuel Cook gets the cut and re-signed treatment for the RFAs. Pitta does get an extension, surprising us all, but this happens in the summer after getting 2nd rd tender. Art Jones also gets 2nd rd. Everyone else is original tender except Harewood who is released. Considering how Harbs likes his STs bedded in, Morgan Cox may end up getting a contract for a couple of years to save a minimal amount.

Anquan gets an extension, but only for a year or two. Jacoby doesn't. Vonta does end up leaving as he ends up as the odd man out - partly because Pierce has turned out quite well and we've just seen the two RB backfield set. We'll be seeing that a fair bit more next year. Sizzle or Ngata gets restructured, though only one of them. Undecided on what to do with Oher. Part of me is happy to let him leave next year. Part of me would rather get him signed now and don't overpay next year. Jameel stays as it doesn't make much sense to cut him now.

They bring in a couple of bit part FAs at first, maybe one notable post-draft depending how it shakes down.

Re: Prediction Thread!!!: Who Stays? Who Goes? Who Arrives?

Call me crazy, but does anyone know the scoop on Nick Barnett from Buffalo?
I was thinking he is a vet tackling machine, who can cover TEs and would look really nice next to Ellerbe.
Draft Georgia's Jenkins, the 360 pound NG/DT to put next to Ngata and we have plugged up our inside run defense AND cover linebackers to boot. Just a thought.

Re: Prediction Thread!!!: Who Stays? Who Goes? Who Arrives?

Charles Woodson will be released by Green Bay. Says he wants to play for a contender. If we lose Ed Reed maybe we can pick up Woodso for cheap. The Packers would move him to FS occasionally during the season. He could be a DB/FS hybrid like Ronde Barber.

Re: Prediction Thread!!!: Who Stays? Who Goes? Who Arrives?

New addition to my who arrives list: Jake Long!!!

"When questioned, the Elders explained that they were in search of magical powers. However, they're actually searching for the whereabouts of a certain ring. This ring is a legendary treasure that long ago was known to exist"

Re: Prediction Thread!!!: Who Stays? Who Goes? Who Arrives?

I wanna take a reallll good look at Barnett. I love vets with no injury conceners (played all 16 the last 2 years and is 31). He can tackle and has above average speed for coverage. Cheaper alternative to Ellerbe who I think will get overpaid. Rather have Barnett and a rookie like Minter, Reddick or Kirk Alonso

I'm really concerned about the OL. Best case scenario is Mckinnie comes back for cheap and molds a player like Brennan Williams